Knowledge, Attitude and Nutritional Status in Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background : Nutrition during pregnancy is essential for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. Malnutrition during pregnancy may cause a negative impact for both mother and fetus. Pregnant women have to replenish their nutritional intake so they have to know nutritional needs for pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate the association between knowledge towards the attitude and nutritional status among pregnant women in Jatinangor Primary Health Care. Methods : This was a cross-sectional study and the subjects were 75 pregnant women selected by consecutive sampling while they attending Puskesmas Jatinangor for antenatal follow up in October until November2012. Knowledge and attitude was assessed using a questionnaire. The level of knowledge and attitudes were categorized into insufficient, sufficient and good. Nutritional status was assessed by measuring the mid upper arm circumference. The level of nutritional status was categorized into good nutritional status and lower nutritional status. Result : Out of 75 respondents, 24 respondents had good knowledge, 39 respondents had sufficient knowledge and 12 respondents had insufficient knowledge. 15 respondents had good attitude, 51 respondents had sufficient attitude, 9 had insufficient attitude. 62 respondents had good nutritional status and 13 respondents had lower nutritional status Conclusion : Most of subjects have sufficient knowledge and attitude, and majority of the respondents have good nutritional status. There was significant relationship between knowledge and attitude (p=0.02) and no significant relationship between knowledge and nutrition status (p=0.666). Based on this study, it is expected to conduct further study about other factors which affect the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women to improve the nutritional status. [AMJ.2015;2(1):231–4]